How four leaders are turning the world upside down

A crater caused by a Russian rocket attack, which hit several buildings in central Kharkiv, Ukraine, on Oct 6. — AP

EVER since learning that in 1947, political commentator Walter Lippmann popularised the term “Cold War” to define the emerging conflict between the Soviet Union and the United States, I thought it would be cool to be able to name a historical epoch. Now that the post-Cold War period has expired, the post-post-Cold War that we’ve entered is just begging to be named. So here goes: It’s the age of “That Was Not the Plan”.

I know, I know, that doesn’t trip off the tongue – and I don’t expect it to stick – but, boy, is it accurate. I stumbled across it on a recent trip to Ukraine. I was speaking with a Ukrainian mother who explained that since the war started, her social life had been reduced to occasional dinners with friends, kids’ birthday parties “and funerals”. After typing her quote into my column, I added my own comment: “That was not the plan.”